Publications

In honour of Aaron Swartz who wanted academic information to be free for everyone – we share our academic papers. All we ask is that you reference them when used and contact us if you need more information:

Dissolved Nitrogen – The Elephant in the Room

This paper describes the emergence of proprietary stormwater treatment devices and their capacity to remove dissolved nitrogen from flows.  It questions if best practice stormwater treatment targets also need to include dissolved nitrogen.

The Business Case for Stormwater Harvesting at Angus Creek

This paper describes the business case developed in support of a large, federally funded stormwater harvesting scheme undertaken at Blacktown, NSW.

On-site versus off-site

This paper described the business case for a stormwater quality offset scheme developed for Blacktown City Council.

Bioretention dispelling the myths

This is a copy of a presentation delivered at the 2014 Stormwater NSW and ACT joint conferences in Canberra.  It includes results of research by Dunphy and two field inspections to gauge the performance of a grassy bioretention system designed and built in 2003.  The system was investigated in 2005 and again in 2014.  It is now over 14 years old, has been maintained rarely and performs amazingly well.

Platinum Plating the Stormwater Industry – The Unpaved Road to Adoption

This paper describes how too frequently expensive stormwater assets in NSW are not adopted by Council asset teams.  It looks at the UK for guidance and discusses benefits of the establishment of a unified adoption guideline.

Modifying the Green Roof for Downunder

This paper describes how one might modify the green roof for Australian conditions by using part of the roof to collect water to sustain the green component of the roof. We explore this through a feasibility study which finds that it is possible to grow food on top of a large shed at a commercial scale at a profit.

Putting the Brakes on Water Miles

This paper describes how it is possible to harvest stormwater from urban areas and use it to grow food locally reducing water miles, food miles and greenhouse gases.

How Sustainable are Stormwater Management Practices with respect to Heavy Metals: A Multinational Perspective

This paper describes the sustainability of stormwater runoff with respect to heavy metal impacts and what needs to be undertaken to effectively manage metals in stormwater.

Water Constraints driving advanced WSUD in Regents Park, Sydney

The Ashgrove in Regents Park development in western Sydney differs to most because private open space is limited and a body corporate manages both substantial communal open space and the integrated water cycle management system that shapes it.

Confined Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) stormwater filtration/infiltration systems for Australian conditions

This paper describes a project that investigates confined stormwater infiltration/filtration systems and their ability to reduce and retain pollutants present within stormwater runoff.

Bringing water sensitive design into the mainstream

This paper explores some of the reasons for the limited adoption of water sensitive design in New South Wales.

Exfiltration stormwater treatment systems – versatile WSUD devices

Exfiltration stormwater treatment systems (STSs) offer the stormwater industry a versatile and effective method of combined stormwater treatment, detention and retention.

Lessons from a water sensitive subdivision – Elambra Estate, Gerringong

This paper describes a number of important lessons learnt in the design of one of the first estates to incorporate WSUD in Australia.

How sustainable are stormwater management targets?

This paper attempts to highlight the comparative levels of sustainability that are likely to arise from the application of various water quality targets to subdivision development.

Feasibility of roof water harvesting in a cold climate

Faced with mounting security of supply issues, the water supply authority in an Australian ski resort is trialling roof water harvesting to reduce mains water demand.